retreat – We are the First Congregational Church in Winchester https://fcc-winchester.com A Christ-centered nurturing community, growing in faith, serving in love, welcoming all with joy. Mon, 26 Oct 2020 19:09:53 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0.2 https://i0.wp.com/fcc-winchester.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/cropped-cross-2.jpg?fit=32%2C32&ssl=1 retreat – We are the First Congregational Church in Winchester https://fcc-winchester.com 32 32 71464776 An Open Door of Blessing https://fcc-winchester.com/latest-news/an-open-door-of-blessing/ Thu, 01 Oct 2020 17:27:30 +0000 https://fcc-winchester.com/?p=9754 Dear Friends in Christ,

 

         “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

 

The Beatitudes are recited from time to time in our culture (even the Monty Python folks have had a crack at them!). But there must be a way to read them that opens up their evocative spirituality … and their transforming social vision.

 

For this retreat we will read them poetically, pausing with the challenges and surprises of the text. We will react to the first beatitude with a poem, take time to share our insights with another person, and listen for the voice of God in silence.

 

It is the hope of this retreat that we can slow our sense of time and discover God’s voice in just ninety minutes together.

 

If you have a phone … or a larger device … you will be able to participate with our “zoom” meeting wherever you are. There will be time to listen to the scripture, to add poetry and another scripture to the mix and to share in two’s and three’s. We will round out our time with a good period of silence and a chance to check in on what we have been hearing.

 

If this appeals to you, join us for either one of two sessions:

 

     Monday October 19 from 10 am to 11:30
     Monday October 26 from 7 pm to 8:30 pm.

 

The retreat leader is Rev. Jonathan Carey Goodell. Jonathan is a member of First Congregational Church in Winchester. His relationship with poetry over the years has slowed and deepened his relationship with the natural world, connected him to others and given him a slant on spirituality and grace.

 

To register, please email Jonathan at jcg.3bell@gmail.com by

 

       Friday October 16 for the first retreat
   and Friday October 23 for the second retreat.

 

There is no fee for the retreat and the experience is hosted by the Health and Wellness Ministry of First Congregational Church.
]]> 9754 Sign up for a Free Lenten Retreat https://fcc-winchester.com/latest-news/sign-up-for-a-lenten-retreat/ Fri, 28 Feb 2020 15:23:22 +0000 https://fcc-winchester.com/?p=8577 The setting for “The Open Door of Blessing” is the beautiful Ripley Chapel at First Congregational Church.  It is a space that speaks warmth, lofty and yet inviting, with a view to the untouched space that surrounds the back of the church.  The retreat will answer some of your questions about the well known, yet enigmatic blessing passage called the Beatitudes … a clarion call to belonging on a deeper basis.  We will use poetry, image and text with conversation.  Members of the church will offer their own thoughts.  There will be a generous pause for reflection toward the end.

If this feels right for you, do join us … mid morning to early afternoon on Saturday March 14. Registrations are still being received through Tuesday the 10th. 

There are several convenient ways to register:

Sign Up Here Before March 10
]]> 8577 Health Ministry Lenten Weekend Retreat https://fcc-winchester.com/community/health-ministry-lenten-weekend-retreat/ Wed, 08 Nov 2017 18:23:34 +0000 https://www.fcc-winchester.com/?p=4675 March 9 – 11, 2018 in Biddeford, Maine

Mark Kutolowski Centering Prayer Retreat Leader

Dear Fellow Member,

We appreciate the challenges that a weekend retreat presents for those needing to negotiate parental and caregiver responsibilities or time apart after work week travel. Please take a moment to consider the benefits of saying yes. This retreat offers a space to refresh energy and spirit. Come and give yourself the gift of silence, stillness and solitude. the fruits of contemplative practice which open us to new capacities in daily life.

Blessings, Your Health Ministry

The weekend retreat will be held at the ocean view  Marie Joseph Spiritual Center,  10 Evans Road in  Biddeford, ME 04005, 207 284-5671      

A Lenten Path to God’s presence and action within us.
Join us for . . .

  • Guided Practice in Centering Prayer, Welcoming Prayer and other contemplative practices
  • Silence in community to reduce distractions and foster attention to God.
  • Restorative rest away from the daily rush of life’s demands and challenges.

Mark Kutolowski, a seasoned retreat leader and Vermont naturalist, began teaching Christian meditation in 2003. He is a commissioned Centering Prayer presenter for Contemplative Outreach, Ltd. Direct questions or learn more about the retreat by contacting Kathleen Zagata or Rev. Will Burhans.

Open to the divine presence, the source of all healing, through prayer.

Retreat Schedule

Friday Arrival: 5:30-6:30 pm

Friday Program: 7-9 pm

Saturday: 9-12noon, 2-4pm , 6-9pm

Sunday 8-11 am

Program includes:

  • Orientation to contemplative practices.
  • Daily Prayer sessions.
  • Time for prayerful movement, chant, reflection and rest.
  • Individual meeting with Mark Kutolowski or Rev Will Burhans as time permits.
  • Celebration of Communion.

Cost: $225 per person covers retreat expenses, private room, three meals on Saturday and breakfast on Sunday morning. Scholarships are available upon request.

 

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